In light of the current economic downturn, some institutions of higher education have begun giving preference to applicants who can foot the entire tuition bill without financial aid. It is reassuring to know that Ithaca College is not one of those schools compromising its standards for the sake of easy tuition dollars.

According to Larry Chambers, director of Student Financial Services, the college remains “need-blind” when looking at prospective students. Keeping this policy is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the educational experience offered by the college. In a time when the campus community is struggling to find a new identity and mission, it is important that the admissions process continues to hold applicants to the highest institutional standards.

The administration is encouraged to continue looking for creative, alternative venues in the race for enrollment numbers. Getting back to early decision, which will give the college wiggle room when projecting how many students will need to be accepted each spring to hit its goal, is a smart and efficient way to combat the unsteady budgeting process.

Ideas like this, and budgeting for more financial aid, will be what gets the college through this tough time. And in the end, the college will be able to say it continued to hold its students to the highest level of academic excellence, while making it more affordable for them to obtain a quality education.